Improvement in bee-hives



PATENT OFFICE.

SILAS D. STEARNS AND GEORGE ELLSWORTH, OF WESTON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN BEEHIVES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,827, dated September 12, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SILAs D. STEARNs and GEORGE ELLSWORTH, of Veston, in the county of Wood and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sectional Bee-Hives 5 and we do declare that the following is a true and accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the let-- ters of reference marked thereon, and being a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of our hive with the cap detached and a cap-box removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section with the front half of the hive drawn forward preparatory to removal; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view, showing the back and bottom of a comb-frame.

Similar letters of referen ce indicate correspon ding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to an improvement in the construction of movable comb-hives; and consists in forming the hive in halves or sections in such a way that the front section may be removed when the comb-frames are iilled with honey and placed on an empty buck for dividing the swarm; and in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the various parts, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, A represents the base of our hive, on the rear end of which is secured the back section B of the hive. B is the front section, open on the rear face, the rear one being open on its front side. The front section slides in grooves at the sides ofthe base, between clamp ing-bars G projecting from the sides ofthe back section, up to and against said back section, where it is held by driving the keys D through the mortises a in the projectingiront ends of said bars. The honey-board or bottom E ofthe back section is inclined and extends to the front end of the base, below the front section, its front end serving as an alightin g-board for the bees. The honey-board F of the iront section pitches to the rear, and is provided on its lower back edge with a slide, F', which may be regulated to open or close the space between it and the board E to the passage of the bees, which, consequently, enter the hive at the middle instead of the front. G shows the form adopted for the comb-frames of both sections of the hive. Each has a recess, b, in the lower corner, and another, c, near the lower part of the shortest side. The former rests upon one of a series of studs, d, in the honey-boards, and the latter receives a guide-stud, e, from the back board of the rear section, or the front board of the front section. The front and back sides of the hive are provided at the top, inside, with comb-guides f for the reception of the combs, which are supported by the studs l e so as to leave a space between the comb-frames and the walls and bottom of the hive. H are the honeyboxes, either with or without movable combframes, resting on top of the hive proper, and are inclosed by the cap I.

The comb-frames of either section may be withdrawn from the top without separating the sections, as will readily be seen.

The front and back sections and caps should be of uniform size, so as to be interchangeable.

To divide the swarm of bees at work in the hive, when the comb-frames are illed and the bees sufficiently numerous for the purpose, the front section is removed bodily and placed on auother base having an empty back section. The full back section then has an empty front section placed on its base and secured in the manner above described, which effectually accomplishes the intended object.

The honey-boards of both sections being inclined renders the hive self-cleaning. The conformation of the hive requiring the use of narrow lumber in its construction, and from the manner in which it is put together, it is far less liable to warp or crack than any other. Many hives are ruined from these causes, which thereby permit the entrance of moths.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The construction and arrangement of the hivesection B secured to the extended base A, and provided with the inclined bottom E and clamping-bars C, and the movable hive-sections B provided with the inclined bottom F and slide F', said section being secured to the other by the keys D, the whole being covered by a suitable cap, I, as and for the purpose set forth.

SlLAS D. STEARNS.

GEORGE ELLSWORTH. Witnesses:

H. R. ATKINs, GEO. B. SPENCER. 

